date

[131a-041] 1819 May 20 Defence
[131a-041]

1819 May 20

Defence of the Ballot

Objection II

Franchise narrowed

6

Objection II. Instead of extending, secresy would narrow the exercise of the election franchise.

Observations on this position

1. The wisdom /instruction/ with which under the head of this objection has been bestowed upon us[?] has been bestowed in waste. Of a state of things which can not take place what matters it what, if it were to take place, would be the effects? But the object here it may be said is to prevent the evils which supposing the first mass of wisdom /instruction/ not sufficiently profited by might be attendant on the experiment which it endeavours to prevent.

2. The question we have here is a question of quantity: and wherever quantity is in question, and that quantity more or less indeterminate, learned gentlemen find themselves {very much} at their ease. Be it what it will, the quantity which is to be opposed is sure to be improper: it is too great; it is too small; it is both at once. On the present occasion in this double case it will be seen to be in the extracts at the bottom of the page

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3. Possession of The right is one thing: exercise of it is another. The first object is to give the possession to as many as can have it without hurt /more than equivalent hurt/ to themselves or others or both the possession of this right, and so long as all who chose to exercise it were at liberty to exercise it each in the way wished for by himself, the number of those by whom on each occasion it came to be actually exercised might upon a very simple scale vary without sensible inconvenience.
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  • Title: [[131a-042] 1819 May 20 Defence]
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    1819 May 20

    Defence of the Ballot

    Objection II

    Franchise narrowed

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    With me the main question is from first to last the main question is – that which regards the freedom in other words the genuineness of the voter. With appropriate discernment /ingenuity/ and care from first to last, the learned Gentleman keeps as far as possible out of sight. I would have none but free and genuine votes: and so long as they are of this complection, the exact number might without anxiety on my part be left to vary upon a very ample scale upon a scale of almost indeterminate amplitude. The learned Gentleman would have these if not in as great a number as possible, at any rate in as great a number as at present, unfree and spurious: bereft of freedom and genuineness, namely as being the less expensive and more agreable instrument for Honourable gentlemen to use, by intimidation: and, in so far as that were inapplicable /ineffective/ with success by bribery or other such expensive means. To this purpose are the endeavours by which he labours to persuade his readers that the wished for secresy could not be carried into effect /practice/: and lest it should be thought capable of being so – not being in his own mind quite so confident as he could wish to be of the success of this part of his endeavours, his endeavours would[?] apply themselves to those who would be glad to see it carried into effect, and the object here is – to persuade them that it would not answer their purpose.
  • Title: [[131a-044] 1819 May 20 Defence]
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    Defence of the Ballot

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    3. Proof 2 in support of Proof 1. Sence of duty is insufficient. The inferior classes would disfranchise themselves {i.e. would not exercise the right} Fervour flourishes not in solitude

    Observations

    Sense of duty of duty in the abstract may be a feather, and as light a feather as the learned Gentleman pleases. But where there is nothing on the opposite scale even a feather and if the scale be balanced as it may be the lightest of feathers will suffice to turn the scale.

    But to his sence of duty I add the sense of universal interest: and to shew the more clearly what it is, I call /say/ it is the sense of the share that men have in the universal interest, for example the interest of not paying his part of any unnecessary tax: and this social as it is a personal interest at the same time: and if learned and other gentlemen are not tired of the phrase comes home to “mens business and bosoms

    But says the learned Gentleman Fervour flourishes not in solitude. Well then if he must have fervour, I will point out to him his source of it, sympathy for the public man who from what is said and what is thought of him is regarded as having given, or being disposed to give proof of his attachment to the good system whatever it be supposed to be as this learned Gentleman would say of errors[?], on the Whig side: if that will not suffice, I add that which is so unhappily apt to be still stronger and sometimes too strong, antipathy towards the candidate on the opposite side /opponent/ who is regarded as having given or being disposed to give proofs of his attachment to the bad side: as the learned Gentleman would say of errors[?] on the Tory side, or on the popular side.

    But here again the learned Gentleman is ready for us, with his scales for the weighing of quantities: scales which as above, have been made for the purpose by some fairy having the property of shewing upon each proper occasion that every quantity that can be proposed on the other side will be too great and too little, at the same time: accordingly next comes /such is/ Objection 3.
  • Title: [[131a-043] 1819 May 20 Defence]
    Description: [131a-043]

    1819 May 20

    Defence of the Ballot

    Objection II

    Franchise narrowed

    Motive tolled[?]

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    8

    2 Proof 1. Motives for exercising it would be taken away.

    Observations

    No: /Some indeed, but/ not all. Those which it would be my wish to see taken away would be taken away: to with those motives which in my view and my language are in this case sinister motives: to wit on the one hand intimidation, on the other hand bribery or what is equivalent: that is, as before, all motives the effect of which in so far as they had any, to produce no votes but what were unfree and spurious.

    These taken away there would remain those votes which for their efficient cause would have no other than that motive which how differently so ever denominate, none would speak of but with tokens of approbation: sense of, sympathy with, regard for the public interest the universal interest that interest in which every man has a share: sense of duty by those who are fond of feeling or of making as if they felt a load of the moral kind upon their shoulders